Police release CCTV after series of Crawley phone scams

Police appeal after telephone and courier frauds in Crawley.'jpco-04-03-15-phone SUS-150203-155310001

Published:16:09Monday 02 March 2015

Police want to speak to this man in connection with telephone scams in Crawley.

An 85-year-old woman from Epsom Road was coerced into handing over her bank cards to a courier which were used to withdraw £600 cash and purchase more than £3,000 worth of goods on February 26.

A 73-year-old man from Forge Lane was contacted by phone on February 27 by a man claiming to be from the fraud squad. He was tricked into believing he was talking to Barclays Bank and told to hand over his bank cards to a courier and £3,900.

A 95-year-old man from The Birches was conned into handing over £2,000 to a man who he was told would come to the door on February 23.

A police spokesman said: “The suspect subsequently made large purchases at a variety of stores and withdrawals at a number of cash machines in the Crawley area and used telephone banking to try and move thousands of pounds out of the victims’ accounts.”

Detective Inspector Andy Bennett added: “Under no circumstances would the police or your bank request your PIN over the telephone or arrange collection of your bank cards from your home address in this manner.

“Never give out your bank details to someone who has contacted you on your home phone unsolicited. If you have any suspicions please do not use the phone you have just been called on to contact the police or your bank. If possible use another phone to contact the police to report it, or to contact a friend to relative to alert them.

“I urge anyone reading or hearing this message to pass it on to any friends and relatives who may not be aware of this particular type of targeted fraud, to prevent any vulnerable friends or family members from becoming victims.

“It is good that many people are already heeding our advice, because although there have been cases like these in which cash has been stolen, many more people are now wise to these scams.

“If you have any information, whether you have received similar calls or know someone who has been a victim of this crime, contact Sussex Police via 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting Operation Edisto. You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”